Solo efforts and projects.

Well, things are so slow right now that it feels like the usually flamboyant and vibrant world of of Montreal is stuttering to a halt... Still a couple of noteworthy notes...

a) Ahmed's afro-psychedelic band, Sinkane, will have a new record out soon. Right now, it is available for pre-order at insound. If you were as impressed as we were by Ahmed's drumming and charisma during the Ninjas Prove It tour, give his album a try. It is said to be more structured than his last offering, but still features "bombastic percussion."

b) Jamey delved deeper into the world of Swedish indie pop and contributed to one track on Doctors & Dealers's new record. I have to hang my head in shame and say that I had never even heard of that band, but better late than never, as the saying goes. It turns out to be a pretty good effort, so you should also give it a try. You can download "The Odds Are On Our Side" (ft. Jamey) from Team Clermont. You can also get the whole album on emusic, or I guess iTunes or Amazon or at your local retailer.
Also keep in mind that the James Husband / of Montreal split 7" should be released anytime now. Check out
Happy Happy Birthday To Me's blog for more info. Also, the label is still running its "6 Elephant 6 CDs for 15 bucks" offer, and you'd be out of your minds not to take advantage of that. But once again, it's just my opinion...
And in other great James Husband news, we have it from the Man himself that "a full length official release is slated for Autumn 2009 on Polyvinyl."

c) There also looks like some amazing "side project" featuring one prominent member of the oM family (who shall remain nameless) is under way. But I will say no more and let you wonder what it's all about. Anticipation, they say, is the best part.

Wolf Pack Radio, Honolulu Weekly interviews...

After a lengthy (by oM standards, two weeks and a half!) pause between tours, of Montreal hits the road again today. Check out our tour dates section and grab the remaining tickets!

Not much news to report, but three more interviews (re)surfaced...

First one is kind of old news, as it was recorded for 1700 AM Wolf Pack Radio (who knew that even existed, uh?) back in December, but it's always great to hear Ahmed, so check it out.

Second interview, thanks to Honolulu Weekly is pretty weird - as it's got to be the shortest article ever written. They make it sound like the interview lasted less than 5 minutes, but there are still a couple of interesting Beeps factoids in it.

Third one comes from of Montreal's nemesis, Brooklyn Vegan. It's not an interview, but they do mention the Happy Happy Birthday To Me split 7" that the Booty Patrol kind of forgot to mention before... Only, they refer to Jamey's side project as James Hubbard, which is both hilarious and, er, pathetic.
But it still comes as a really handy reminder - now is the chance to subscribe to HHBTM's singles club, if you haven't already done it. Subscribing for the whole singles club series is your only chance to get the record - and a bunch of other vinyls from great Athens, Ga. artists such as the Apples in Stereo, Circulatory System or the twee-noise-garage outfit Cars Can Be Blue. Well worth the money if you ask me.

Sinkane

Thanks, P-noch, for starting the thread at the Townhall called "Ask Ahmed", where new of Montreal member/drummer Ahmed Gallab (AKA Sinkane) is being more than gracious with his time, answering questions about everything from his musical background to the importance of pizza to his preferred deodorant. He's also talked about the upcoming tour - not only performing with of Montreal as the newest part of the lineup, but opening for them (as Sinkane) for a few shows. And the lineup he's put together for these Sinkane shows looks awfully familiar. He wrote:

the sinkane band that will be opening for of montreal is: me: guitar/vox james husband: drums davey pierce: bass/drums the late B.P. Helium: guitar/bass evan richards: keys/baritone guitar we will be performing "Color Voice" in its entirety.



...btw, "Color Voice" is his full-length debut, came out just a few months ago, so it's been quite a year for Ahmed: not just his first LP but part ofCaribous's and of Montreal's touring bands.

Sinkane "Autobahn"

Buy "Color Voice" at Insound. Ahmed has expressed an enthusiastic willingness to hang out after the shows on the upcoming Skeletal Lamping tour, so it'd probably be good for conversation if you've bought his album ;-)

Thanks to casserole for the above pic of Ahmed at Columbus, Ohio's "Alive Bands To Watch 2008" from January of this year. Gotta say, that's pretty epic for Ahmed - going from college radio station nerd to what he's accomplished so far this year. Kudos, and we reeeeally are looking forward to hear how great your addition to the of Montreal lineup will be.

Be sure not to miss Ahmed's blog, which has lots of free great things to download (concert, albums, singles)